You are invited to participate in the 2018 Domestic & Family Violence Response and Prevention Regional Conference.

The conference theme is ‘Rural & Regional Women’ and will focus on current issues, research, and programs for regional and rural women experiencing domestic and family violence.

Over two days, participants from the private, not-for-profit and government sectors will come together to share knowledge, insight and recent learning pertaining to the domestic and family violence response and prevention sector. Specific topics addressed will include housing outcomes for regional women after domestic violence, men’s programs, access to justice, and many initiatives to illustrate what is working in our state and specific regions.

A joint committee made up services across the Northern NSW, Mid North Coast, and New England are convening the 2018 Domestic & Family Violence Response and Prevention Regional Conference from 10th – 11th September 2018, at the Opal Cove Resort, Opal Blvd, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450.

Conference Partner Sponsors

3SA / OTCP:
Third Sector Australia Ltd (3SA) is a registered charity and not-for-profit community services organisation. We operate an integrated suite of disability, mental health, homelessness and domestic and family violence social support and residential care programs. Our portfolio of service offerings are designed around four pillars essential to achieving independence and wellbeing – Housing, Employment, Everyday Life and Community Engagement.

Domestic Violence NSW:
Domestic Violence NSW is the peak, statewide representative body for a diverse range of specialist domestic and family violence services in New South Wales. Operating from a feminist, social justice perspective we work to improve the spectrum of policy, legislative and program responses to domestic and family violence (DFV) and to eliminate DFV through leadership in advocacy, partnerships and the promotion of good practice.

The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) covers an area of 11,335 square kilometers, extending from the Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government Area (LGA) in the south to Coffs Harbour LGA in the north. Approximately 218,000 residents live within the District. People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage make up approximately six per cent of the population. People born overseas comprised 13 per cent of the total population in 2011. Coffs Harbour is one of several designated resettlement locations for refugees, and has a growing number of humanitarian refugees settling in the area. In 2016, the child and youth population (0-24 years) made up approximately 28 per cent of the population, while those over 65 years approximately 23 per cent. The main health issues facing the District are mental health illnesses and chronic age related illnesses such as cardiac, pulmonary, diabetes, renal disease and dementia. The Mid North Coast also has significant groups of disadvantaged people, including Aboriginal people and refugees, people on low incomes, and people living in small, isolated communities, all of whom are at risk of poorer health outcomes than the rest of the population. There are also some concerning trends in lifestyle behaviours and risk factors such as increasing overweight and obesity, low levels of physical activity, poor diet, and the number of people who smoke. Our core community of 218,000 people depend upon on us for all aspects of its public health care. More than 4,000 staff work across the District admitting in excess of 76,000 hospital patients, handling approximately 120,000 emergency presentations and delivering more than 2,200 babies a year.